Framework layout tool



Feb. 16, 1965 H. K. CURRIE 3,169,320

. FRAMEWORK LAYOUT 'roor.

Filed Nov. 2, 1961 Herbert K. Currie IN VEN TOR,

BY WM HM United States Patent Ofi ice 3,169,320 FRAMEWURK LAYQUT TOGLHerbert K. Girlie, 1305 W. 5th St, Littlefield, Tex. Filed Nov. 2, 1961,Ser. No. 149,599 3 Claims. (Cl. 33-96) This invention relates to a noveland useful framework layout tool and more specifically to a tool adaptedfor use in marking pieces of timber at points spaced longitudinallytherealong to which other timbers are to be secured.

In many instances, frame wall assemblies are laid out on the fioor ofthe building structure and cut to size. Then, while the framework isdisposed on the floor the various pieces of timber thereof are securedtogether in any convenient manner after which the assembled wallframework is raised and propped in position until adjacent wallframework assemblies are also assembled and raised after which thevarious wall assemblies may be secured together and roof joists or beamsmay be secured thereto.

The framework layout tool of the instant invention comprises anelongated straight header member which has a plurality of parallelbranch members projecting laterally out from one side edge of the headermember at predetermined points spaced longitudinally along the headermember. The branch members we each of a width corresponding to thethickness of the timbers with which the tool is to be used and theframework layout tool may be disposed along the upper surface of ahorizontal frame member and marked to indicate the proper placing ofstudding timbers. Then, the other horizontal member may also be marked.The horizontal member which is to be disposed uppermost may then bemarked in accordance with the layout tool of the instant invention forthe proper placement of rafter beams therealong. After the framework ofa wall has been laid out and the various pieces thereof have been cut tothe desired length, they may be nailed together and positioned asindicated by the markings accomplished by the layout tool of the instantinvention.

The main object of this invention is to provide a framework layout toolwhich may be used to greatly facilitate the forming of wall framingassemblies.

A further object of this invention, in accordance with the precedingobject, is to provide a framework layout tool which may be utilized tomark the upper and lower horizontal members of a wall framework toindicate the points at which wall studding members are to be securedthereto.

Still another object of this invention, in accordance with the precedingobject, is to provide a framework layout tool which may also be utilizedto mark the uppermost horizontal member of a wall framework before theframework is assembled and erected to indicate the proper positioning ofrafters relative to the wall framework.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a framework layouttool which may be conveniently used for marking timbers at varyingdistances therealong in order that the same layout tool may be utilizedto mark sixteen inch centers for wall studding members and twenty-fourinch centers for ceiling rafters or roof trusses.

A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein isto provide a framework layout tool in accordance with the precedingobjects which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be ofsimple construction and easy to use so as to provide a device that willbe economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble free inoperation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter de- 3,169,320 Patented Feb. 16, 1965scribed and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawingsforming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like partsthroughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a framing member shown with theframework layout tool of the instant invention disposed thereon andpositioned to properly mark FIGURE 3 is an enlarged transverse verticalsectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by thesection line 3-3 of FIGURE 1.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings the numeral 10 generallydesignates a wall framing member which is to be used as a lowermosthorizontal framing member in the formation of a wall framework assemblyincluding a plurality of vertically disposed wall studding members 12and an upper horizontal frame member (not shown).

The framework layout tool of the instant invention is generallydesignated by the reference numeral 14 and comprises an elongated andstraight generally panel-like header member generally referred to by thereference numeral 16. A plurality of generally panel-like parallelbranch members 18 and 20 project laterally outwardly from one side edgeof the header member 16 and it will be noted that the branch member 18on the left side of FIGURE 1 is spaced from the extreme end of theelongated straight header member 16. The extended end of the headermember 16 projecting beyond the last-mentioned branch member defines alongitudinally projecting extension 22 for a purpose which willhereinafter be more fully set forth.

The branch members 18 and 20 are of the same width and it will be notedthat the branch members 18 and 20 are planar as is the header member 16.In addition, the branch members 18 and 20 and the header member 16 arecoplanar.

The extension 22 has a length equal to one-half of the width of thebranch members 18 and 20 and it will be noted that the longitudinal sideedge of the header member remote from the side edge from which thebranch members 18 and 20 extend is provided with 21 depending flange 24.

In operation, the header member is first disposed in overlying relationto the framing member 10 and the branch members 18 and 20 may then beutilized to form markings 26 on the framing member 10 as can best beseen from FIGURE 2 of the drawings. Accordingly, the upper frame member(not shown) of the wall assembly generally referred to by the referencenumeral 28 and including the frame member 10 and the wall stud members12 may be similarly marked. Then, the framing member 10, the wall studmembers 12 and the other framing member (not shown) may be laid out onthe floor and properly positioned relative to each other as indicated bythe marks 26. Then, the component parts of the wall assembly 28 may besecured together in any convenient manner such as by nails (not shown).

It will be noted that the branch members 18 are dis posed at twenty-fourinch intervals along the header member 16 with the exception of thelefthand member 18 in FIGURE 1 which is spaced one-half its width fromthe left end of the header member 16 defined by the free end of theextension 22 and that the branch members 20 together with the remotebranch members 18 are disposed at sixteen inch intervals along theheader member 16. Accordingly, each of the horizontal framing members ofthe wall framing assembly 28 may be marked on sixteen inch centers forthe wall stud members 12 and the upper horizontalfrarning member maybemarked at twentyfour inch intervals for the ceiling joists and/ orrafters.

The depending flange 24 affords a surface against which the framingmember 10 may be engaged'to properly position the tool 14 transverselyof the framing member 10. The operation of the extension 22 enables thetool 14 to be used successively along the same header member or the liketo mark sixteen or twenty-four inch centers thereon. .After the tool 14is first positioned as illustratedin FIGURE 1, the first member 18 isused' to' mark the location of the corresponding stud 12. Then the tool14. is shifted to the right until the free edge or" the extension 22 isregistered with the end of the framing member 10. Thereafter, themembers 20 and/orthe remainingmembers'lS may be used to mark thelocations of the remaining studs 12. Therefore, the free edge of the Iextension 22 is placed in alignment with themarking 26 which is secondfrom the right side of'FIGURE 2 in' Further,

order that further markings 26 may be'made. if the tool 14 is to be usedfor marking the locations of additional studs fIOlTl'EIH existing stud,then the left edge of the first member 18 may be abutted against theadjacent side of the. existing stud whereupon the other members 18 and20. will be properly spaced from the existing stud for marking thecorrect positions of the additional studs.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since I numerous modfiications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalentsmaybe resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A framework layout tool for use in marking a first piece of timber atequally spaced points therealong to which other timbers are to'besecured, said tool comprising an elongated straight header member, a setof five parallel branch members of identical width adapted to equal thethickness of said other timbers projecting laterally outwardly from oneside edge of said header member, said branch members being positioned atfive consecutive predetermined positions spaced longitudinally alongsaid header member, the first, second, fourth and fifth positions beingequally spaced apart and the third position being equally spaced apartand the third positionbeingspaced equally between said second and fourthpositions as Well as equally between said first and fifthpositions; oneofsaid first and fifth branch members being positioned adjacentcorresponding end of said header member and spaced from saidcorresponding end a distance equal to one-half the width of said onebranch member.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said header member and said branchmembers'are each panel-like and are coplanar.

3. The combination of claim 2 including a depending flange carried by,extending along and depending from the other side edge of said headermember.

' References Cited'by the Examiner 1 UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,665,4004/28 Bittn'er 33-174 2,466,919 4/49 Sykes.

2,563,674 8/51 Coots 33-438 2,579,664 12/51 Gleasman 33l68 X 2,659,98011/53- Dunn 33174 ISAAC LISANN, Primary-Examiner.

1. FRAMEWORK LAYOUT TOOL FOR USE IN MARKING A FIRST PIECE OF TIMBER ATEQUALLY SPACED POINTS THEREALONG TO WHICH OTHER TIMBERS ARE TO BESECURED, SAID TOOL COMPRISING AN ELONGATED STRAIGHT HEADER MEMBER, A SETOF FIVE PARALLEL BRANCH MEMBERS OF IDENTICAL WIDTH ADAPTED TO EQUAL THETHICKNESS OF SAID OTHER TIMBERS PROJECTING LATERALLY OUTWARDLY FROM ONESIDE EDGE OF SAID HEADER MEMBER, SAID BRANCH MEMBERS BEING POSITIONED ATFIVE CONSECUTIVE PREDETERMINED POSITIONS SPACED LONGITUDINALLY ALONGSAID HEADER MEMBER, THE FIRST, SECOND, FOURTH AND FIFTH POSITIONS BEINGEQUALLY SPACED APART AND THE THIRD POSITION BEING EQUALLY SPACED APARTAND THE THIRD POSITION BEING SPACED EQUALLY BETWEEN SAID SECOND ANDFOURTH POSITIONS AS WELL AS EQUALLY BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND FIFTHPOSITIONS; ONE OF SAID FIRST AND FIFTH BRANCH MEMBERS BEING POSITIONEDADJACENT CORRESPONDING END OF SAID HEADER MEMBER AND SPACED FROM SAIDCORRESPONDING END A DISTANCE EQUAL TO ONE-HALF THE WIDTH OF SAID ONEBRANCH MEMBER.